June 19, 2013

In an op-ed in today's Tampa Bay Times, former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink details the reasons why she believes Citizens Property Insurance should reject what she calls a "sweetheart deal" with take-out company Heritage Property and Casualty.

In the editorial, she says "the recent Citizens Property Insurance deal with start-up insurance company Heritage Property and Casualty of St. Petersburg must be stopped immediately and thoroughly reviewed by our elected officials who appoint the Citizens board members. These officials include Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz." More here.

March 27, 2013

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he is not planning to run against Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 governor's race but stopped short of completely ruling it out.

"I'm not planning to run for governor," he said Wednesday in Tallahassee. "I have no intention of running for governor. I've got plenty to do as serving as the senator of this state, and that's why I'm here today, in my role as senator."

Will you say that you won't run for governor? a reporter asked. "I said what I said," Nelson replied

March 13, 2013

The lobbying team who represented Allied Veterans, and its software company International Internet Technologies, terminated its relationship yesterday in light of the federal investigation into racketeering when they determined that the company has misrepresented itself to them, said its former spokeswoman Sarah Bascom.

International Internet Technologies and its owners and affiliates have spent $340,000 in campaign contributions in the last election cycle and $195,000 in the 2010 cycle. Allied Veterans also gave $25,000 to Gov. Rick Scott for his inauguration and the money went to the Wounded Warriors program.

February 05, 2013

Former CFO Alex Sink is weighing in on the state’s new
proposal to rebrand itself for business, calling it “terrible” and joining a
growing list of critics who are slamming the orange-tie imagery as sexist.

Did you see this? http://bit.ly/YB9rnx What
a terrible way to brand our state. We are diverse. We are modern. And we won't
stand for our state to be portrayed as having a stuffy, outdated climate for
business. Share this photo if you agree and let your friends and family know
that we are the state of innovators and entrepreneurs. Ditch the tie and join
us.

Sink, who fell 60,000 votes short of becoming the state’s
first female governor in 2010, was defeated by Gov. Rick Scott.

Last week Scott hailed the orange tie image as “a brand that
will solidify our reputation to the nation and the world.”

Enterprise Florida is standing by the brand, even as it deals with a barrage of controversy in recent days, starting with
its decision to outsource a $200,000 Florida
branding contract to a Tennessee-based company. When the new business brand was
unveiled, several businesswomen slammed it as sexist, because it was anchored
on the image of a necktie. On Tuesday, a watchdog group blasted EFI for
engaging in “pay-to-play” cronyism and “corporate welfare” through its
multimillion-dollar incentives program. Lawmakers are also looking to crack
down on incentives, and EFI has been defending them as proven investments in
economic development.

Sink is one of a handful of potential 2014 challengers to
Scott, who is facing dangerously low poll numbers.

To be clear, she was referring to Scott’s personal money. And it was actually closer to $75.1 million.

Include the Republican Party, and Scott probably spent just under $100 million. He was worth at least $218 million at the time, but reports he lost net worth after becoming governor. His wife has millions more.

January 16, 2013

From Public Policy Polling, which typically surveys for Democrats and liberals. Note: It looks like it didn't poll a Charlie Crist-Alex Sink Democratic match-up:

Raleigh, N.C. – While Floridians might not be familiar with some of the potential Democratic candidates running against Governor Rick Scott for the Governor race in 2014, poll numbers show that they are not happy with Scott’s job performance.

January 09, 2013

Interesting high-profile endorsement for Alan Clendenin in his bid to lead the Florida Democratic Party: Alex Sink, the 2010 and possibly 2014 candidate for governor. To date, Clendenin opponent Allison Tant has soaked up all the establishment help, namely Sen. Bill Nelson and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The press release:

January 04, 2013

Alex Sink just posted a message on her Facebook page thanking the people who have offered words of comfort and sympathy in the two weeks following the death of her husband, Bill McBride. The 67-year-old former gubernatorial candidate died of a heart attack on Dec. 22 and was funeralized last week.

Sink's post today is the first time she updated her Facebook page since the death of her husband. Here is what she wrote:

Dear friends:You have comforted and inspired me and our children by your support, love and prayers, and by your touching, heart-felt tributes to Bill, which continue to pour in, even now, nearly two weeks after his passing.My daughter, Lexi, my son, Bert, and I, can’t thank you enough.The remembrances and testimonials, coming from those of you who knew Bill well, less well, or from those of you who knew him simply by reading or hearing about him, are uplifting.You noted how Bill’s life’s work was about helping others, and to make the world a better place for those struggling or less fortunate.At the memorial service last week in Tampa, Bert also spoke of the invaluable lessons Bill bestowed on him about making the world a better place. And Lexi spoke so movingly about how Bill was such a devoted and wonderful father and family man.In the media, in your calls, cards, emails and messages, either here on Facebook or elsewhere, we heard you talk about how “Bill believed that public service was a higher calling;” of “the selflessness he bestowed on friends and strangers alike, his cherished Florida and the causes that needed him;” and how Bill “wasn’t looking down party lines; he was looking at people and what they believed in and stood for and if they, too, believed in making Florida better.”We heard you describe Bill as “always willing to listen, find a solution and help others … strong and courageous, gentle and compassionate.” We heard you talk about how “Bill's light shines bright today through those of us who were fortunate enough to know him.”I will always recall, as will many other people who knew Bill, the words he almost always used to end his conversations … and Bill always meant them: “Is there anything I can do for you?”Your words paint a loving picture of my husband, Bill McBride, and a wonderful legacy. Thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my heart.Alex